Product Description

We all want to make life easier for our kids, but are we doing too much? Are we fostering an attitude of entitlement? Sharing her experiences with her own children, Kay Wyma helps you teach your youngsters real-life skills - from making their beds and controlling clutter to practicing hospitality and engaging in community service.Unabridged audio CD; approximately 9 hours; 8 CDs; narrated by Tavia Gilbert.

Publisher's Description

Do your kids think that clean, folded clothes magically appear in their drawers? Do they roll their eyes when you suggest they clean the bathroom? Do you think it's your job to pave their road to success? As parents, so often we hover, race in to save, and do everything we can for our kids--unintentionally reinforcing their belief that the world revolves around them.

When Kay Wyma realized that an attitude of entitlement had crept into her home, this mother of five got some attitude of her own. Cleaning House is her account of a year-long campaign to introduce her kids to basic life skills. From making beds to grocery shopping to refinishing a deck chair, the Wyma family experienced for themselves the ways meaningful work can transform self-absorption into earned self-confidence and concern for others.

With irresistible humor and refreshing insights, Kay candidly details the ups and downs of removing her own kids from the center of the universe. The changes that take place in her household will inspire you to launch your own campaign against youth entitlement. As Kay says, "Here's to seeing what can happen when we tell our kids, 'I believe in you, and I'm going to prove it by putting you to work.'"

done for them (although it does cover that very well.) It really gets to the heart of how our kids are being robbed of so many opportunities to teach them about being productive, creative, vital contributors to their families and communities. It helped me to see how I was keeping my kids from doing things that seemed too hard for them. When in the end, if they try to do something that is difficult and actually accomplish it, their self esteem and willingness to try new things is given a huge boost without a single 'good job' from anyone.

The author argues that it is our responsibility as parents to "parent our children as if they're inherently strong instead of inherently weak". She contends that by always stepping in and doing for our children, we are keeping them from reaching their full potential, and that raising independent children is counter-cultural these days. She also says that she rose to this challenge when she realized that by setting such a low bar of expectation from her own children, she was raising children with low self-esteem and an entitled attitude. So, she redefined her parenting style and saw amazing results in herself and her children.

Instead of sending her children the message of: "I love you so let me make life easy for you" her message should be: "I love you, I believe in you, I know what you're capable of, so I'm going to make you work."

This audiobook was expertly narrated and was enjoyable to listen to. Ms. Gilbert even manages to get the inflection of the whiny children down perfectly. At 8 hours long, this audiobook does take a chunk of time to listen to, but is so well worth it.